The purpose of the study is to evaluate the benefits and risks of lixisenatide (AVE0010), in comparison to placebo, as an add-on treatment to insulin glargine and metformin with or without thiazolidinediones (TZDs), over a period of 24 weeks of treatment.

The primary objective is to assess the effects of lixisenatide in comparison to placebo, when added to insulin glargine and metformin, on glycemic control in terms of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reduction (absolute change) at Week 24.

The secondary objectives are to assess the effects of lixisenatide on the percentage of patients reaching HbA1c less than (<) 7 percent (%) and less than or equal to (<=) 6.5%, plasma glucose (fasting, postprandial during a standardized meal challenge test, 7-point self monitored profiles), body weight, insulin glargine doses, to evaluate safety and tolerability (including anti-lixisenatide antibody assessment), and to assess the impact on treatment satisfaction using the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (state) (DTSQs) in the participating countries where it is validated.

A Randomized, Placebo-controlled, 2-arm Parallel-group, Multicenter Study With a 24-week Double-blind Treatment Period Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Lixisenatide in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Insufficiently Controlled With Insulin Glargine and Metformin

Absolute change = HbA1c value at Week 24 minus HbA1c value at baseline. The on-treatment period for this efficacy variable is the time from the first dose of study drug up to 14 days after the last dose of study drug or up to the introduction of rescue therapy, whichever is the earliest. For a patient to be included in mITT population, both baseline and at least 1 post baseline assessment for at least 1 efficacy variable, were required.

The 2-hour PPG test measured blood glucose 2 hours after eating a standardized meal. Change was calculated by subtracting baseline value from Week 24 value. The on-treatment period for this efficacy variable is the time from the first dose of study drug up to the last dosing day of study drug or up to the introduction of rescue therapy, whichever is the earliest. For a patient to be included in mITT population, both baseline and at least 1 post baseline assessment for at least 1 efficacy variable, were required.

Glucose excursion = 2-hour PPG minus plasma glucose 30 minutes prior to the standardized meal test, before study drug administration. Change was calculated by subtracting baseline value from Week 24 value. The on-treatment period for this efficacy variable is the time from the first dose of study drug up to the last dosing day of study drug or up to the introduction of rescue therapy, whichever is the earliest. For a patient to be included in mITT population, both baseline and at least 1 post baseline assessment for at least 1 efficacy variable, were required.

Patients recorded a 7-point plasma glucose profile measured before and 2 hours after each meal and at bedtime once in a week and the average value for the 7-time points was calculated. The on-treatment period for this efficacy variable is the time from the first dose of study drug up to the last dosing day of study drug or up to the introduction of rescue therapy, whichever is the earliest. For a patient to be included in mITT population, both baseline and at least 1 post baseline assessment for at least 1 efficacy variable, were required.

Change was calculated by subtracting baseline value from Week 24 value. The on-treatment period for this efficacy variable is the time from the first dose of study drug up to 3 days after the last dose of study drug or up to the introduction of rescue therapy, whichever is the earliest. For a patient to be included in mITT population, both baseline and at least 1 post baseline assessment for at least 1 efficacy variable, were required.

Change was calculated by subtracting the baseline value from Week 24 value. The on-treatment period for this efficacy variable is the time from the first dose of study drug up to the last dosing day of study drug or up to the introduction of rescue therapy, whichever is the earliest. For a patient to be included in mITT population, both baseline and at least 1 post baseline assessment for at least 1 efficacy variable, were required.

Change was calculated by subtracting baseline value from Wee 24 value. The on-treatment period for this efficacy variable is the time from the first dose of study drug up to 1 day after the last dose of study drug or up to the introduction of rescue therapy, whichever is the earliest. For a patient to be included in mITT population, both baseline and at least 1 post baseline assessment for at least 1 efficacy variable, were required.

The on-treatment period for this efficacy variable is the time from the first dose of study drug up to 14 days after the last dose of study drug or up to the introduction of rescue therapy, whichever is the earliest. For a patient to be included in mITT population, both baseline and at least 1 post baseline assessment for at least 1 efficacy variable, were required.

Percentage of Patients With Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) Level Less Than or Equal to 6.5% at Week 24 [ Time Frame: Week 24 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

The on-treatment period for this efficacy variable is the time from the first dose of study drug up to 14 days after the last dose of study drug or up to the introduction of rescue therapy, whichever is the earliest. For a patient to be included in mITT population, both baseline and at least 1 post baseline assessment for at least 1 efficacy variable, were required.

Percentage of Patients Requiring Rescue Therapy During the Double-blind Period [ Time Frame: Baseline up to Week 24 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Routine fasting SMPG, central laboratory FPG and HbA1c values were used to determine the requirement of rescue medication. If fasting SMPG value exceeded the specified limit for 3 consecutive days, the central laboratory FPG and HbA1c were performed. Threshold values - from baseline to Week 8: fasting SMPG/FPG >200 milligram/deciliter (mg/dL) (11.1 mmol/L) or HbA1c >9%, from Week 8 to Week 24: fasting SMPG/FPG >180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L) or HbA1c >8.5%. For a patient to be included in mITT population, both baseline and at least 1 post baseline assessment for at least 1 efficacy variable, were required.

Change was calculated by subtracting baseline value from Week 24 value. DTSQ: 8-item questionnaire to assess treatment satisfaction and patient perception of hyper and hypoglycemia. Each question (Q) scored on a Likert scale from 0 to 6. Six items (Q1 and 4-8; higher score = more satisfaction) measured treatment satisfaction and were summed to calculate treatment satisfaction score which ranged from 0 (very dissatisfied) to 36 (very satisfied). Two items (Q2 and 3), which were not included, measured perceived hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, respectively and lower scores represented good perceived blood glucose control. The on-treatment period for this efficacy variable is the time from the first dose of study drug up to 3 days after the last dose of study drug or up to the introduction of rescue therapy, whichever is the earliest. For a patient to be included in mITT population, both baseline and at least 1 post baseline assessment for at least 1 efficacy variable, were required.

The on-treatment period for this efficacy variable is the time from the first dose of study drug up to 3 days after the last dose of study drug or up to the introduction of rescue therapy, whichever is the earliest. For a patient to be included in mITT population, both baseline and at least 1 post baseline assessment for at least 1 efficacy variable, were required.

Number of Patients With Symptomatic Hypoglycemia and Severe Symptomatic Hypoglycemia [ Time Frame: First dose of study drug up to 3 days after the last dose administration ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

Symptomatic hypoglycemia was an event with clinical symptoms that were considered to result from a hypoglycemic episode with an accompanying plasma glucose less than 60 mg/dL (3.3 mmol/L) or associated with prompt recovery after oral carbohydrate, intravenous glucose, or glucagon administration if no plasma glucose measurement was available. Severe symptomatic hypoglycemia was symptomatic hypoglycemia event in which the patient required the assistance of another person and was associated with either a plasma glucose level below 36 mg/dL (2.0 mmol/L) or prompt recovery after oral carbohydrate, intravenous glucose, or glucagon administration, if no plasma glucose measurement was available.

Self administered by subcutaneous injections once daily within the hour preceding breakfast.

Drug: Insulin glargine

Dose to be adjusted to maintain a fasting SMPG between 100 and 80 mg/dL (5.6 and 4.4 mmol/L), inclusive.

Other Name: Lantus®

Device: Pen auto-injector

Lantus® SoloStar® OptiClik®

Drug: Metformin

Metformin to be continued at stable dose (at least 1.5 gram per day) up to Week 24.

Drug: Thiazolidinedione (TZD)

TZD (either rosiglitazone or pioglitazone) if given, to be continued at stable dose up to Week 24.

Detailed Description:

The study comprises 3 periods:

An up to 14-week screening period, which includes an up to 2-week screening phase and a 12-week run-in phase with introduction and titration of insulin glargine on top of metformin +/-TZDs.

At the end of the run-in phase, patients whose HbA1c (centralized assay) is greater than or equal to (>=) 7% and less than or equal to (<=) 9% and whose mean fasting self-monitored plasma glucose (SMPG) calculated from the self measurements for the 7 days prior to Visit 12 (Week -1) is <=140 milligram per deciliter (mg/dL) (7.8 millimole per liter [mmol/L]), would enter a 24-week double-blind randomized treatment period comparing lixisenatide to placebo (on top of insulin glargine + metformin +/- TZDs).

Pregnant or breastfeeding women or women of childbearing potential with no effective contraceptive method

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Metformin not at a stable dose of at least 1.5 gram per day for at least 3 months prior to the screening visit

Use of oral or injectable antidiabetic or hypoglycemic agents other than metformin, sulfonylurea (SU) and TZDs (for example, alpha glucosidase inhibitor, other glucagon like peptide-1 [GLP-1] receptor agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV [DPP-IV] inhibitors, insulin etc.) within 3 months prior to the time of screening, use of weight loss drugs if not at a stable dose for at least 3 months prior to the screening visit

History of hypoglycemia unawareness

Body Mass Index (BMI) less than or equal to (<=) 20 kilogram per square meter (kg/m^2)

History of metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis within 1 year prior to screening

Hemoglobinopathy or hemolytic anemia, blood or plasma products transfusion within 3 months prior to the time of screening

Within the last 6 months prior to screening: history of myocardial infarction, stroke, or heart failure requiring hospitalization

Known history of drug or alcohol abuse within 6 months prior to the time of screening

Any clinically significant abnormality identified on physical examination, laboratory tests, electrocardiogram or vital signs at the time of screening that in the judgment of the Investigator or any sub investigator precludes safe completion of the study or constrains efficacy assessment such as active malignant tumor or other major systemic diseases, presence of clinically significant diabetic retinopathy or presence of macular edema likely to require laser treatment within the study period

Uncontrolled or inadequately controlled hypertension at the time of screening with a resting systolic or diastolic blood pressure >180 millimeter of mercury (mmHg) or >110 mmHg, respectively

Patients who are considered by the Investigator or any sub investigator as inappropriate for this study for any reason (for example, impossibility to meet specific protocol requirements, such as scheduled visits, being able to do self-injections, likelihood of requiring treatment during the screening phase and treatment phase with drugs not permitted by the clinical study protocol, patient being investigator or any sub investigator, pharmacist, study coordinator, other study staff or relative thereof directly involved in the conduct of the protocol etc.)

Use of systemic glucocorticoids (excluding topical application or inhaled forms) for one week or more within 3 months prior to the time of screening

History of hypersensitivity to insulin glargine or to any of the excipients

Clinically relevant history of gastrointestinal disease associated with prolonged nausea and vomiting, including (but not limited to): gastroparesis, unstable (that is, worsening) and not controlled (that is, prolonged nausea and vomiting) gastroesophageal reflux disease requiring medical treatment, within 6 months prior to the time of screening

Any previous treatment with lixisenatide (for example, participation in a previous study with lixisenatide)

Allergic reaction to any GLP-1 receptor agonist in the past (for example, exenatide, liraglutide) or to metacresol

Additional exclusion criteria during or at the end of the run-in phase before randomization: informed consent withdrawal (patient who was not willing to continue or failed to return), mean fasting SMPG calculated from the self-measurements for the 7 days prior to Visit 12 (Week -1) was >140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) and HbA1c measured at Visit 12 (Week -1) is <7% or >9%, amylase and/or lipase > 3 times the ULN at Visit 12 (Week -1), patients with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) above the threshold value described for rescue (that is, FPG >240 mg/dL [13.3 mmol/L]), patients with any adverse event, which, by the judgment of the Investigator precludes the inclusion in the double-blind randomized treatment phase, and lack of compliance to protocol or to insulin glargine treatment during the run-in phase

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00975286